Valentina Petrillo, the Italian sprinter who competed at the Paris Paralympics as the first out trans athletes, says she found only love and acceptance from fans and fellow athletes, despite hateful comments from those on the outside like JK Rowling.
“It was the perfect life. It was beautiful. I was welcomed by everybody,” Petrillo told Reuters. “Outside, we know it’s not going to be the same.
“I hope this can be the start of a transformation for transgender people.”
Petrillo, 51 and visually impaired, transitioned in 2019 and was proud to be the first Paralympic athlete to be openly transgender.
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“I have been waiting for this day for three years and in these past three years I have done everything possible to earn it,” she told BBC Sport. “The historic value of being the first transgender woman to compete at the Paralympics is an important symbol of inclusion.”
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Given how many lies have been spread about trans athletes, especially women, it’s no surprise that Petrillo was subjected to hate and ridicule, with “Harry Potter” author Rowling calling her an “out and proud cheat.” As usual, Rowling was wrong, since Petrillo failed to reach the finals of her Paralympic events.
“JK Rowling is only concerned about the fact that I use the female toilet, but she doesn’t know anything about me,” Petrillo told Reuters.
“And there has only been one [openly transgender] person that has participated at the Paralympics, me. So all of this fear that trans people will destroy the world [of women’s sport] actually does not exist.
“People said [lots of] men would go to compete as women just so they could win, but that has not happened at all. It is just transphobia.”
Petrillo is easy to admire for her fierce pride in being who she is. And it’s wonderful that this was applauded by fans and athletes alike in Paris.
